Obesity in Dogs

Normal weight in dogs

Body Condition Scoring (BCS) is a quick and simple way to assess whether your dog is at a healthy weight. A chart to show you how to measure your dog’s BCS can be found here. It’s a good idea to assess your dog’s BCS every 2 to 4 weeks throughout their life. This helps you track any changes and take early action if they start to gain or lose too much weight.

A BCS of 4-5/9 is considered ideal weight and is characterized by the following:

• Ribs should be felt with a light touch, without being clearly visible
• Waist should be clearly visible when looking at the dog from above
• Abdominal line should be slightly raised when looking at the dog from the side
• Vertebrae should be felt at the base of the tail

Causes of obesity in dogs

Some breeds become overweight more easily than others. However, any dog can become overweight if they are given too much food in relation to their energy consumption. If the dog gets a lot of leftover food, or treats with a high fat content in addition to their usual food, the risk of obesity increases.

As dogs age they need less calories and will gain weight more easily, similarly to dogs who have been neutered.

Dogs with painful conditions like osteoarthritis, or those who are older and less mobile, may struggle to exercise regularly. This reduced activity can make it easier for weight to creep on over time. Neutered dogs are at higher risk of becoming overweight as their metabolism decreases in connection with castration.

In some cases, underlying medical issues are to blame. Conditions such as hypothyroidism, or Cushing’s disease (an overproduction of cortisol) can lead to weight gain. Certain medications may also increase appetite, making portion control even more important.

Consequences of obesity in dogs

Fat (or adipose tissue) acts like a large hormonal organ that produces several different hormones that can cause chronic, low-grade inflammation throughout the body. Obesity can therefore can increase the risk of developing several serious conditions such as osteoarthritis, diabetes, a weakened immune system, pancreatitis, and high blood pressure, to name a few.

In addition, the risks of anaesthesia in obese animals is increased compared to healthy-weight animals. In female dogs, being overweight can make it more difficult to nurse puppies after whelping. Overweight animals also do not tolerate exercise and heat as well as healthy-weight animals.

Treatment of obesity in dogs

Keeping a close eye on your dog’s waistline is one of the best ways to prevent unhealthy weight gain. Many veterinary practices offer weight clinics, with nurses who are trained in nutrition. These clinics are a very helpful way to learn how to make a weight reduction plan and help your dog lose weight. Depending on your dog’s age and overall health, your vet may also recommend a blood test to check thyroid function, especially if weight loss is difficult.

Weight loss can be achieved by changing what you feed, how much you feed, how you feed and when you feed. If your dog has a body condition score greater than 5/9, they need to lose excess fat. If appropriate, exercise is a key part of any weight loss plan.

What are you feeding your dog? There are lots of obesity and weight loss diets on the market. It is always best to change the food gradually, over a couple of weeks, to avoid any digestive upset. Please note that these diets are not suitable for young dogs that are still growing. Diets include:

• Purina: Proplan OM Obesity Management
• Hills: Metabolic, w/d and r/d
• Royal Canin: Obesity Management, Satiety, Weight Control

Here are our top tips for achieving your dog’s weight loss goals; everyone in the household must be involved!

1. Who: choose one person in the household to set the quantity of food and feeding routine
2. What and when: look at what you feed, how much you feed, how you feed, how often you feed and when you feed. Considering all elements of feeding will give you more weight management options
3. Weigh out the daily food allowance using scales. All training treats must come from this bowl, rather than being an addition to it
4. Measure and record your dog’s weight weekly in a way the whole family can see. Also, use a tape measure directly behind the elbows, and directly in front of the knees
5. Reminders placed around the house will tell the whole family that your dog is on a diet
6. Remove temptation and hide away all the dog treats
7. Discourage friends, colleagues and other dog walkers from feeding your dog treats
8. Use a ‘Kong’, or scatter feed, to slow down your dog’s eating and reduce the pleading eyes for more
9. Indoor and outdoor exercises will encourage further weight loss as well as improve muscular strength
10. Remember that weight loss is more effective with dietary change than increased exercise

You can also visit the Canine Arthritis Management website for additional tips, especially if your dog has joint problems.

Get advice from an experienced vet

• If you notice that your dog is overweight
• If your dog is not losing weight despite the advice above

Book a video appointment to have a chat with one of our FirstVet vets. Every dog is different, so they will be able to discuss specifically how best to manage your dog’s weight, exercise and nutrition.